A local law enforcement officer saw a man with a range-finder device near the venue of a rally where former President Donald Trump was speaking in Butler County, Pennsylvania. The officer thought the man might be using the range-finder as binoculars to see the rally better. Shortly after Trump began his speech, a 20-year-old named Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire, injuring the former president, killing a father of two, and injuring two others before being stopped by the Secret Service.
Witnesses reported seeing an armed man before the shooting began, and experts explained that the counter-snipers had to perceive a threat before taking action. Crooks was able to get onto the roof with a rifle that had been legally purchased by his father over a decade ago.
The Butler County Sheriff mentioned that a county deputy had encountered Crooks just before the shooting but had to take cover when Crooks aimed the gun at him. The FBI has accessed Crooks’ phone for evidence and investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the attack, although it seems Crooks acted alone.
The security outside the Secret Service’s perimeter is usually handled by state and local law enforcement. The incident has raised questions about rally security and how to prevent such attacks in the future. Over 100 people have been interviewed by authorities as part of the investigation.
The FBI is working to determine Crooks’ motives and whether he had any connections to other individuals or groups. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of security measures at public events and the challenges law enforcement agencies face in preventing such attacks. The community is mourning the loss of the father who was killed and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack.
